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Prime Minister Anticipates “Excellent Year” for Grand Bahama

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#Bahamas, February 12, 2018 – Grand Bahama – “I believe that this year will be a good and excellent year for Grand Bahama.”

RIBBON CUTTINGThe Prime Minister’s sentiments came during the official opening of Pirate’s Cove Zipline & Water Park, located at Taino Beach, on Saturday afternoon.  Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis gave the keynote address, following a list of other speakers at the event, including Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest, and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Travis Robinson.

Although various aspects of the Pirate’s Cove adventure theme park had been opened and operational for some time, Saturday’s opening was for the introduction of the Zipline Adventure, the first of its kind in The Bahamas.

Prime Minister Minnis noted that one of the unique aspects of the Pirate’s Cove Zipline & Water Park was the fact that it was carried out by Bahamians. This, he said, proves that Bahamians are more than capable of owning their economy.

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“My government seeks to encourage more of these Bahamian business ventures, particularly in Grand Bahama,” added the Prime Minister.  “It’s important to note that this is an achievement for the entire island of Grand Bahama.  It strongly suggests that investment confidence is improving.

“I have been advised that the investment into this project totals some $1.4 million into the economy of Grand Bahama.  I am pleased that Pirate’s Cove presently employs 30 persons directly, and they are all Bahamians.  They also have an additional 30 persons who are indirectly employed by this entity.”

The Prime Minister noted that the results of the recent labor force survey by the Department of Statistics for Grand Bahama indicates some progress.  He said that in Grand Bahama, there was a slight decrease in the unemployment rate from 12.4 percent to 12.1 percent.

“There are still too many unemployed, but the rate is trending in the right direction,” said Prime Minister Minnis.

“It should be noted that there was a significant increase in employed persons in Grand Bahama. The number of persons employed in May 2017 in Grand Bahama was 26,160 and that number increased to 27,240 in November 2017.  “We still need more jobs.”

Prime Minister Minnis reiterated his commitment to the Second City, noting that Grand Bahama has been a major focus of his government, and he vowed that they will continue to work towards its complete restoration.  The Prime Minister said he would continue to have a personal interest in Grand Bahama to ensure that the economy of the island is revived.  He said he also has the same passion for the other islands, as well as the inner city of New Providence.

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Referring to his most recent National Address, Prime Minister Minnis affirmed his announcement of all first time businesses being exempt from business license fees. He also affirmed that all businesses with a gross of less than 100,000 dollars are exempt from business license fees.

“I have been travelling to Grand Bahama for a very long time and I know that the Port loves Grand Bahamians just as much,” said Minister Minnis, jokingly taking a jab at GBPA president, Ian Rolle, who was also at Saturday’s opening.

MRS. MINNIS TRIES THE ZIPLINE“Therefore I am certain that the Port will match the Government.  Just as I said to the Minister of Finance recently, I will say to the Port… ‘don’t make me out to be a liar.’”

The Prime Minister said that the Zipline Park was something great for Grand Bahama and he wished it total success.  He reminded his audience of the Government’s ongoing transactions to get the Grand Lucayan hotel sold and re-opened.  He also spoke of the Government’s negotiation with Bahamas Paradise for the return of the Grand Celebration and the introduction of a new vessel, which will bring additional stopover visitors and new opportunities for Grand Bahama in April.

“We have also negotiated an airlift agreement with Sunwing and now have the return of Vacation Express,” added Prime Minister Minnis.  “It has been announced that a total of eight non-stop flights departing from various U.S. cities will begin their flight schedules to Grand Bahama this year.

By: Andrew Coakley

 Photo Captions: 

Header: Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis (second left) was keynote speaker at the official opening of Pirate’s Cove Zipline & Water Park at Taino Beach in Grand Bahama on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Also on hand for the event were Minister of State for Grand Bahama in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Kwasi Thompson (second right); Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Iram Lewis (right); and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Travis Robinson.

First insert: It was a long way up to the spot where two ribbons were waiting to be cut by the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister to officially open Pirate’s Cove Zipline & Water Park at Taino Beach on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Prime Minister Minnis was the keynote speaker at the event.

Second insert: Wife of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Patricia Minnis was one of the first brave persons to try out the Zipline at Pirate’s Cove Zipline & Water Park, during opening ceremonies on Saturday, February 3, 2018.  Mrs. Minnis successfully zipped on the 30-ft. line and she set the stage for others to try.   Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Peter Turnquest followed, choosing to take the 50-ft. line, where he waved to the crowd as he zipped by.

BIS Photos/Lisa Davis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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